former vs next

former

noun
  • An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die. 

  • Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder. 

  • Someone in, or of, a certain form (class). 

adj
  • First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun. 

  • Previous. 

next

noun
  • The one that follows after this one. 

det
  • Closest in the future, or closest but one if the closest is very soon; of days, sometimes thought to specifically refer to the instance closest to seven days (one week) in the future. 

  • Denotes the one immediately following the current or most recent one. 

adv
  • In a time, place, rank or sequence closest or following. 

  • On the first subsequent occasion. 

  • So as to follow in time or sequence something previously mentioned. 

adj
  • Nearest in order, succession, or rank; immediately following (or sometimes preceding) in order. 

  • Nearest in place or position, having nothing similar intervening; adjoining. 

  • Nearest in relationship. (See also next of kin.) 

How often have the words former and next occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )